As the triggering of Article 50 looms, starting the process of the UK's departure from the EU, the FTSE 100 rallies by 0.37% to 7370.66, following up yesterday's gains.Conversely, the Shanghai Composite Index closed down by 0.36% at 3,241.31. But economists predict the Article 50 trigger will provide little new information to alter real economic activity.Johnston Press (JPR) shares drop by almost

UK shares crash on Wednesday as as both blue chips and mid caps plumb fresh lows, stricken by diving miners and financial stocks. Crude oil prices are again on the back foot as traders factor Iran exports into an already over-supplied market. The International Energy Agency says Iran's anticipated output of 600,000 barrels a day could see the market 'drown in oversupply' of crude oil in 2016, pote

The ability of micro cap stocks to deliver super-sized returns in super quick time is exemplified by Catalyst Media (CMX:AIM).The £12.3 million cap's main asset is a 20.5% stake in provider of broadcasting services to bookies Satellite Information Services (SIS) and it is up 63.9% in the space of a week to 50p after SIS secured (23 Sep) a new five year deal with Racecourse Media commencing April

London shares begin the week in decline with investors worried about the next euro funding step after the collapse in Greek debt talks hit talks. In early trade Monday the FTSE 100 on track for its lowest finish in three months, sliding 40 points, or 0.5%, to 6,746. Midcaps take an even bigger bashing, the FTSE 250 index plunging more than 100 points, or 0.7%, to 17,822.Budget flyer Easyjet (EZJ)

It could be said that disruptive telecoms and IT supplier Synety (SNTY:AIM) tried to run before it could walk and is now paying the price for chasing rapid revenue growth at too high a cost.The Leicester-based firm has developed a clever cloud-based communications platform called CloudCall. It integrates a streamlined calls function with a client's customer relationship management software (CRM) a

London's FTSE 100 firms 20.97 points to 6,858.58 early on Wednesday, rising for a third day on the spin with investors bullish ahead of George Osborne's keenly-awaited final budget statement before May's general election, due at 12.30.One of the session's main fallers is Synety (SNTY:AIM), which collapses 27% to 100p after revealing a 34.5% discounted placing and open offer at 90p. Broker N+1 Sing

As markets see-saw in response to each twist and turn of the Russian/Ukrainian stand-off, America's efforts to contain Islamic State fighters in Iraq, events in Gaza and unrest in Syria investors could be forgiven for being a little wary. At the same time, if the US economic recovery continues to gather pace and equities take another leg up they risk losing out should they exit positions now.It is

Retail investors are increasingly frustrated with being shut out from share placings. As part owners of a business - which you are as a shareholder - a man or woman with a few thousand shares should have the same rights as a fund manager holding significantly more stock. Sadly, they tend to be shunned when it comes to placings because of the cost and time with dealing with such a large number of p

Investors seeking opportunities to make multiples of their initial capital outlay should look at micro cap stocks. This is a very high risk part of the market but the potential rewards are proportionately rich. While there's inevitably a lack of the balance sheet strength seen in mid and large caps, it can only take a positive contract win, technical breakthrough or resource discovery to catapult

Veterinary services consolidator CVS (CVSG:AIM) clips ahead 2.5% to 307.4p as strong half-year figures to December and a positive outlook statement triggers further earnings upgrades. As foreshadowed by Shares, the company has sales momentum at its heels with like-for-like sales up 4.6% in the first half, improving further in the third quarter with the help of mild weather in January and February.

Embattled retailer Morrisons (MRW) rises 2.8% to 243.8p on whispers the UK's fourth biggest grocer's founding family wants to take it private. The family, which owns circa 9.5%, is thought to have approached a number of private equity players with a view to stitching together a buyout deal for the struggling supermarket operator which could exceed £7 billion. Morrisons is one of Shares' top picks

Cash-generative FTSE 250 homewares retailer Dunelm (DNLM) cheapens 30p to 949p as newsof a 0.9% like-for-like revenue decline for the first half leaves investors cold. Though unusually warm weather crimped first quarter sales, the cushions, quilts and pillows purveyor flags much improved second quarter trading, with like-for-like sales growing 2.9%. Cantor Fitzgerald says that while it is not maki

London's blue-chip benchmark sheds 57.8 points at 6,396.1 on Monday as investors remain worried about a lack of progress in breaking the political stalemate over the US budget and debt ceiling. Investor skittishness manifests itself in downbeat reactions to positive news from a number of larger market constituents.Among them is National Express (NEX), which skids 1.7p to 254.7p despite cheering in

Recruitment consultant Michael Page (MPI) slips 4.7% to 447.2p after reporting an 11.3% drop in pre-tax profit before one-off items. The stock has rallied since July, leaving the group trading on a very high - and unjustified - rating. It is therefore no surprise to see the shares retreat as the consultant warns of continued tough market conditions.Mid cap oil producer EnQuest (ENQ), focused on th

A ugly picture of the jobs market was painted by SThree (STHR) as it reported a 9% drop in second-quarter gross profit, far worse than the 3% decline in the first period. Fees are falling from contractors in more mature markets and the banking sector. The service group is also suffering margin compression as it prioritises work for larger multinational clients, where it places greater emphasis on

Global markets continued to roar with optimism on Tuesday, with the FTSE 100 flying 120 points higher to 6,774.32 as UK investors returned from the long weekend in buying mood. News from the CBI of rising confidence in the UK service sector helped lift sentiment towards the leisure industry, with holiday operator TUI Travel (TT.) putting on 10p at 368.6p and Holiday Inn-owner InterContinental Hote

It can take exceptional performance to warrant earnings upgrades, as two well-known retailers have today found out. Both Halfords (HFD) and Dunelm (DNLM) have turned in solid trading updates yet they weren't good enough to get the City experts to nudge up their numbers. That in turn meant a lacklustre share price reaction to the news.Car parts-to-bicycles seller Halford's reported 0.3% like-for-li

The FTSE 100 advanced 23 points to 6,300, propelled by a positive market response to Barclays' (BARC) strategic review results, sending the bank up 4.1% to 313.p. The wider banking sector hopped on board for the ride with Lloyds Banking (LLOY) up 3.5% to 54.6p and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) up 2.6% to 349.1p. Click here for the full story.Reports that US regulators are probing ICAP (IAP) over it